A rapid prototyping method for polymer microfluidics with fixed aspect ratio and 3D tapered channels

Abstract

In this work, a new method of rapidly fabricating thermopolymer and elastomer microfluidic channels has been developed and characterized for production of microfluidics with fixed aspect ratio and 3D tapered channels. A unique way to attain a desired channel depth by simply altering channel width is demonstrated. This rapid prototyping method is compatible with replication methods such as injection molding, hot embossing and elastomer casting and offers the ability to fabricate multiple channel depths (5 microm-1 mm) simultaneously in a single lithographic step. This method yields facile fabrication of 3-dimensionally tapered channels and polymer lab chips.

Microfluidic Chips for Point‐of‐Care Immunodiagnostics

“…[ 70 ] Microporous thermoformed polymer fl exible microfl uidic chips have been produced using hot embossing. [ 71 ] Tapered channels are produced using diffuse ultraviolet light [ 72 ] or laser ablation and integrated into a threedimensional microfl uidic chip. [ 73 ] Complex multilevel microchannels are fabricated using three-dimensional photoresist masters.…”

An in-line microfluidic blood sampling interface between patients and saline infusion systems

“…PDMS modules were then liberated from the molds. Saline and Sampler microfluidic molds were both fabricated in Polysulfone (PSU) by rapid prototyping and COC sample and saline layers produced by injection molding as described previously (Browne et al 2008b;Browne et al 2009b). Rapid prototyping is useful in this application because it enabled an iterative approach to device design.…”

“…To assess the ability to remove protein from COC to PDMS microchannels a protein desorption assay was performed. PDMS and COC microchannels were fabricated using rapid prototyping (Browne et al 2009b) and were coated with peroxidase conjugated antibody (Ab-HRP, Sigma) by flowing concentrated Ab-HRP into the channel and incubating at room temperature for 2 min. This 2 min incubation has been shown previously to be sufficient time for protein adsorption to many polymer surfaces (Kai et al 2004) and is projected to be a longer period than would be required for blood sample collection.…”

“…Sampling microfluidic chips with embedded pinch valves have been fabricated in COC using the methods described previously (Browne et al 2008a;b;Browne et al 2009b). Briefly, the pinch valve with waste channel layer was fabricated by injection molding COC (TOPAS) against a CNC machined aluminum mold.…”

Circadian rhythms in Neurospora crassa on a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic device for real-time gas perturbations

“…A polymer master mold containing microchannels was fabricated using a previously developed method in our lab. 19,20 Using a patterned transparency film mask, a commercially available printing press plate with a 1.05 mm thick photosensitive polymer (WA210, Flint Group, OH) was exposed to diffuse ultraviolet (UV) light (1 J/cm 2 , 365 nm). Then, the exposed printing plate was developed FIG.…”